19/03/2025
RESEARCH SERIES: THE HUNGARIANS OF PENNSYLVANIA
SUBSERIES: THE HUNGARIAN LABORERS OF PENNSYLVANIA
SUBSERIES: THE HUNGARIANS OF CALUMET, PENNSYLVANIA
This is a photograph of an injured gentleman with a crutch, by the name of George Malnosky, speaking to an official from the Resettlement Administration. The scene is Calumet, Pennsylvania. The photograph was taken in October of 1935 by Bernarda Bryson Shahn (American, 1903-2004). It is part of a larger series of photographs, taken by Bernarda and her husband Ben Shahn (Lithuanian-American, 1898-1969), documenting the activities of the Resettlement Administration.
It's a sad scene. It appears that Mr. Malnosky is explaining a situation to the official, perhaps he is describing the circumstances of his injury.
Was George Malnosky Hungarian? Was he a miner, and did he get injured in the mines? Does the Public have any information on George Malnosky? The same official from the Resettlement Administration, present in the photographs with Mr. Kollar and in the photograph with the village lady, is also present in this scene. Perhaps the photos were taken on the same day, and during the same mission.
After doing some more research, I found out that the location may not be Calumet, Pennsylvania exactly, but possibly small communities around Calumet. Some of the photographs in the series were taken in Pleasant Unity, Pennsylvania.
Shahn Bernarda Bryson (American, 1903-2004)
Untitled (Resettlement Administration official and unidentified woman, Calumet, Pennsylvania)
October 1935
Negative, gelatin silver (35mm film)
2.4cm x 3.6cm (0.9375in x 1.4375in)
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Bernarda Bryson Shahn
Shahn Bernarda Bryson (American, 1903-2004)
Untitled (Resettlement Administration official and unidentified woman, Calumet, Pennsylvania)
October 1935
Negative, gelatin silver (35mm film)
2.4cm x 3.6cm (0.9375in x 1.4375in)
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Bernarda Bryson Shahn